Groundbreaking £4.8m care home facility to be built on eyesore Blackburn Infirmary site

BLACKBURN’S ‘biggest eyesore’ will be demolished to make way for a £4.8 million state-of-the-art dementia care home for the elderly.

Based on a pioneering Manchester project, it will provide 64 beds for the frailest pensioners and comprehensive outreach services for Alzheimers sufferers on the site of the former Blackburn Royal Infirmary’s decaying War Memorial Wing.

The scheme, by award-winning charity Community Integrated Care, aims to preserve key elements of the 86-year-old building erected after the First World War, including its coat of arms, foundation stone, mosaic floor and stone arches.

Campaigners fighting to keep alive the wing’s history welcomed the new blueprint, which will provide 100 new permanent posts as well scores of jobs during construction, as ‘the best of a bad job’.

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Work on the new building will start by autumn for opening in late summer next year.

Community Integrated Care will provide unique ‘EachStep’ provision of outreach care in sufferers’ homes per week.

Once sufferers can no longer stay in their homes full medical and nursing care will be provided in the purpose-built premises, a concept trialled successfully in Blackley Manchester.

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The aim is to keep people in their own homes for as long as possible.

Blackburn Local History Society chairman Ray Smith said: “This is Blackburn’s biggest eyesore. The building has gone to wrack and ruin.

“This is the best solution in the circumstances.”

Photographs inside show the dereliction of the wing built to honour the injured and fallen in the 1914-1918 conflict, with collapsed ceilings, broken windows and grafitti spray painted on walls.

Blackburn, Darwen and Rural Civic Voice secretary Simon Hugill said: “This is the best of a bad job. We will work with the developers to preserve the wing’s history .”

Borough regeneration boss and Ewood councillor Maureen Bateson said: “This is a good use of the building which honours its original purpose and saves its history.

“It is part of regenerating the borough and deals with the town’s biggest eyesore.”

It will have a complementary service delivering home care in the local community, helping people live in their own homes for longer.

It will include a café, landscaped gardens and meeting rooms for community use.

The wing was left standing when the rest of the infirmary was razed in 2007 for a new housing estate, and it had initially been hoped it could be redeveloped.

The scheme will complete work on the site by David Wilson Homes North West, which has created ‘The Royals’ estate of 116 properties.

The care home is part of Blackburn with Darwen council’s strategy to modernise care keeping older residents living independently and avoiding unnecessary hospital admissions.

The borough and CIC, one of the UK’s largest social care charities, has already conducted a study to identify and retain important features of the building as a public art display on nearby borough-owned land.

CIC chief executive Neil Matthewman said: “The proposed service will offer the very highest standards of dementia support. We will give people in Blackburn, and their loved ones, comfort and stability.”

Council health boss Mohammed Khan said: “This is an exciting step. We are confident this is exactly what we need.”

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Borough Liberal Democrat leader David Foster said: “This is Blackburn’s biggest and most dangerous eyesore. This is a good use for it.”

EachStep Blackley has been recognised internationally, being shortlisted for 12 care sector awards in 2013, and praised by government care tzar Professor Alistair Burns as ‘one of the most innovative care services I have seen.’

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Comments (18)

Groundbreaking £4.8m care home facility to be built on eyesore Blackburn Infirmary site

Bluelizzy says...9:21am Fri 28 Feb 14

As it is now. http://www.derelictp laces.co.uk/main/sho wthread.php?t=19644# .Uw0LhPl_tnM

As it is now.
http://www.derelictp
laces.co.uk/main/sho
wthread.php?t=19644#
.Uw0LhPl_tnMBluelizzy

As it is now. http://www.derelictp laces.co.uk/main/sho wthread.php?t=19644# .Uw0LhPl_tnM

Score: 11

abetterblackburn says...10:21am Fri 28 Feb 14

Many Thanks for the link above. What a wonderful website and just goes to show what happens when you don’t look after buildings. The former War Memorial Wing was bought by the mill owners and their work force in the area as a reminder to those who lost their lives during the first world war. The Town Hall would look just the same if it too was allowed to fall into such a state of decay. Likewise could also be replaced by a care home for the elderly. There was no need for The Former War Memorial to have ended it‘s life in such a sad state of decay and sad that Blackburn with Darwen Council did not consider it worthwhile to keep it intact. The main structure was sound and would have remained to be what it was originally built to be . . . A War Memorial as a reminder to those who lost their lives in wars present and past!

Many Thanks for the link above. What a wonderful website and just goes to show what happens when you don’t look after buildings. The former War Memorial Wing was bought by the mill owners and their work force in the area as a reminder to those who lost their lives during the first world war.
The Town Hall would look just the same if it too was allowed to fall into such a state of decay. Likewise could also be replaced by a care home for the elderly. There was no need for The Former War Memorial to have ended it‘s life in such a sad state of decay and sad that Blackburn with Darwen Council did not consider it worthwhile to keep it intact. The main structure was sound and would have remained to be what it was originally built to be . . .
A War Memorial as a reminder to those who lost their lives in wars present and past!abetterblackburn

Many Thanks for the link above. What a wonderful website and just goes to show what happens when you don’t look after buildings. The former War Memorial Wing was bought by the mill owners and their work force in the area as a reminder to those who lost their lives during the first world war. The Town Hall would look just the same if it too was allowed to fall into such a state of decay. Likewise could also be replaced by a care home for the elderly. There was no need for The Former War Memorial to have ended it‘s life in such a sad state of decay and sad that Blackburn with Darwen Council did not consider it worthwhile to keep it intact. The main structure was sound and would have remained to be what it was originally built to be . . . A War Memorial as a reminder to those who lost their lives in wars present and past!

Score: 44

A Darener says...11:00am Fri 28 Feb 14

It is only an eye sore because it was deliberately let go to wrack and ruin. All along the intention was to get it in such a state of disrepair that the only answer would be to knock it down. Thus it had come to pass. Shame on all concerned!

It is only an eye sore because it was deliberately let go to wrack and ruin. All along the intention was to get it in such a state of disrepair that the only answer would be to knock it down. Thus it had come to pass.
Shame on all concerned!A Darener

It is only an eye sore because it was deliberately let go to wrack and ruin. All along the intention was to get it in such a state of disrepair that the only answer would be to knock it down. Thus it had come to pass. Shame on all concerned!

Score: 68

woolywords says...12:04pm Fri 28 Feb 14

At last!! For far too long there has been much 'umming and ahhing' about what is to be done with this building. It was never financially feasible to develop it's interior, whilst maintaining it's outer shell and thus demolition was the only realistic option but the vociferous protests made this nigh impossible. It's had it's day, served it's purpose and now is to go on to do other things, equally as valued in our area, just in a new format.

At last!!
For far too long there has been much 'umming and ahhing' about what is to be done with this building. It was never financially feasible to develop it's interior, whilst maintaining it's outer shell and thus demolition was the only realistic option but the vociferous protests made this nigh impossible.
It's had it's day, served it's purpose and now is to go on to do other things, equally as valued in our area, just in a new format.woolywords

At last!! For far too long there has been much 'umming and ahhing' about what is to be done with this building. It was never financially feasible to develop it's interior, whilst maintaining it's outer shell and thus demolition was the only realistic option but the vociferous protests made this nigh impossible. It's had it's day, served it's purpose and now is to go on to do other things, equally as valued in our area, just in a new format.

Score: -30

fannystrim says...12:18pm Fri 28 Feb 14

don't believe it for one minute,remember when the telegraph said 14 months ago that the council were cutting their care homes but going to allow private developers to invest? well they shut 2 care homes at the moment,(i know as i worked in one of them) but as yet little action on the site,bwdbc should grow a backbone and tell everyone the truth

don't believe it for one minute,remember when the telegraph said 14 months ago that the council were cutting their care homes but going to allow private developers to invest?
well they shut 2 care homes at the moment,(i know as i worked in one of them) but as yet little action on the site,bwdbc should grow a backbone and tell everyone the truthfannystrim

don't believe it for one minute,remember when the telegraph said 14 months ago that the council were cutting their care homes but going to allow private developers to invest? well they shut 2 care homes at the moment,(i know as i worked in one of them) but as yet little action on the site,bwdbc should grow a backbone and tell everyone the truth

Score: 24

mmickk says...12:33pm Fri 28 Feb 14

We have far to many on this council that do not have an interest in the heritage or pride of this country. It would be a completely different matter if the orbital route was to run straight through a mosque. These Councillors do not have a clue as to what their job entails. They are supposed to serve the community not take the job for an easy life to line their own pockets. In years gone by Councillors were local business leaders that employed half the town people we looked up to them now we have a benefit fraudster Councillor/mayor thats hell bent on turning Blackburn into a shanty town.

We have far to many on this council that do not have an interest in the heritage or pride of this country. It would be a completely different matter if the orbital route was to run straight through a mosque. These Councillors do not have a clue as to what their job entails. They are supposed to serve the community not take the job for an easy life to line their own pockets. In years gone by Councillors were local business leaders that employed half the town people we looked up to them now we have a benefit fraudster Councillor/mayor thats hell bent on turning Blackburn into a shanty town.mmickk

We have far to many on this council that do not have an interest in the heritage or pride of this country. It would be a completely different matter if the orbital route was to run straight through a mosque. These Councillors do not have a clue as to what their job entails. They are supposed to serve the community not take the job for an easy life to line their own pockets. In years gone by Councillors were local business leaders that employed half the town people we looked up to them now we have a benefit fraudster Councillor/mayor thats hell bent on turning Blackburn into a shanty town.

Score: 40

ricksh says...12:51pm Fri 28 Feb 14

abetterblackburn wrote…

Many Thanks for the link above. What a wonderful website and just goes to show what happens when you don’t look after buildings. The former War Memorial Wing was bought by the mill owners and their work force in the area as a reminder to those who lost their lives during the first world war. The Town Hall would look just the same if it too was allowed to fall into such a state of decay. Likewise could also be replaced by a care home for the elderly. There was no need for The Former War Memorial to have ended it‘s life in such a sad state of decay and sad that Blackburn with Darwen Council did not consider it worthwhile to keep it intact. The main structure was sound and would have remained to be what it was originally built to be . . . A War Memorial as a reminder to those who lost their lives in wars present and past!

Considering the council do not own the land or the building it is my my eyes nothing to do with Blackburn with Darwen Council. It was let to go into a state of disrepair by David Wilson Homes plc

[quote][p][bold]abetterblackburn[/bold] wrote:
Many Thanks for the link above. What a wonderful website and just goes to show what happens when you don’t look after buildings. The former War Memorial Wing was bought by the mill owners and their work force in the area as a reminder to those who lost their lives during the first world war.
The Town Hall would look just the same if it too was allowed to fall into such a state of decay. Likewise could also be replaced by a care home for the elderly. There was no need for The Former War Memorial to have ended it‘s life in such a sad state of decay and sad that Blackburn with Darwen Council did not consider it worthwhile to keep it intact. The main structure was sound and would have remained to be what it was originally built to be . . .
A War Memorial as a reminder to those who lost their lives in wars present and past![/p][/quote]Considering the council do not own the land or the building it is my my eyes nothing to do with Blackburn with Darwen Council. It was let to go into a state of disrepair by David Wilson Homes plcricksh

abetterblackburn wrote…

Many Thanks for the link above. What a wonderful website and just goes to show what happens when you don’t look after buildings. The former War Memorial Wing was bought by the mill owners and their work force in the area as a reminder to those who lost their lives during the first world war. The Town Hall would look just the same if it too was allowed to fall into such a state of decay. Likewise could also be replaced by a care home for the elderly. There was no need for The Former War Memorial to have ended it‘s life in such a sad state of decay and sad that Blackburn with Darwen Council did not consider it worthwhile to keep it intact. The main structure was sound and would have remained to be what it was originally built to be . . . A War Memorial as a reminder to those who lost their lives in wars present and past!

Considering the council do not own the land or the building it is my my eyes nothing to do with Blackburn with Darwen Council. It was let to go into a state of disrepair by David Wilson Homes plc

Score: 9

Mothernature says...3:24pm Fri 28 Feb 14

I take umbrage at the site being declared the biggest eyesore in Blackburn. There are far uglier buildings that are an eyesore in Blackburn. That chocolate box town hall, the mall thingy, newer parts of the college, health centre off Barbara Castle Way & my particular pet hate of a building is that mosque on the corner of Audley Range/Queen's Park Rd. After all, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder & I despise all this glass, cladding & soul less brickwork.

I take umbrage at the site being declared the biggest eyesore in Blackburn. There are far uglier buildings that are an eyesore in Blackburn. That chocolate box town hall, the mall thingy, newer parts of the college, health centre off Barbara Castle Way & my particular pet hate of a building is that mosque on the corner of Audley Range/Queen's Park Rd. After all, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder & I despise all this glass, cladding & soul less brickwork.Mothernature

I take umbrage at the site being declared the biggest eyesore in Blackburn. There are far uglier buildings that are an eyesore in Blackburn. That chocolate box town hall, the mall thingy, newer parts of the college, health centre off Barbara Castle Way & my particular pet hate of a building is that mosque on the corner of Audley Range/Queen's Park Rd. After all, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder & I despise all this glass, cladding & soul less brickwork.

Score: 28

Scooby says...4:05pm Fri 28 Feb 14

Campaigners do not bloody welcome the plans! The two groups mentioned gave up on the building long long ago, but other people who actually care about the Memorial are still fighting it! The Memorial is in the state it's in because the owners stripped the roof and left it unsecured for so long. It was never their intention to keep it! Shame on them and anyone else who so willingly wants to destroy the Memorial!

Campaigners do not bloody welcome the plans! The two groups mentioned gave up on the building long long ago, but other people who actually care about the Memorial are still fighting it!
The Memorial is in the state it's in because the owners stripped the roof and left it unsecured for so long. It was never their intention to keep it! Shame on them and anyone else who so willingly wants to destroy the Memorial!Scooby

Campaigners do not bloody welcome the plans! The two groups mentioned gave up on the building long long ago, but other people who actually care about the Memorial are still fighting it! The Memorial is in the state it's in because the owners stripped the roof and left it unsecured for so long. It was never their intention to keep it! Shame on them and anyone else who so willingly wants to destroy the Memorial!

Score: 25

DoggydogNo1 says...6:02pm Fri 28 Feb 14

ricksh wrote…

abetterblackburn wrote…

Many Thanks for the link above. What a wonderful website and just goes to show what happens when you don’t look after buildings. The former War Memorial Wing was bought by the mill owners and their work force in the area as a reminder to those who lost their lives during the first world war. The Town Hall would look just the same if it too was allowed to fall into such a state of decay. Likewise could also be replaced by a care home for the elderly. There was no need for The Former War Memorial to have ended it‘s life in such a sad state of decay and sad that Blackburn with Darwen Council did not consider it worthwhile to keep it intact. The main structure was sound and would have remained to be what it was originally built to be . . . A War Memorial as a reminder to those who lost their lives in wars present and past!

Considering the council do not own the land or the building it is my my eyes nothing to do with Blackburn with Darwen Council. It was let to go into a state of disrepair by David Wilson Homes plc

I was thinking that very same thing! So why are the council making on it when its the town folk who own it?

[quote][p][bold]ricksh[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]abetterblackburn[/bold] wrote:
Many Thanks for the link above. What a wonderful website and just goes to show what happens when you don’t look after buildings. The former War Memorial Wing was bought by the mill owners and their work force in the area as a reminder to those who lost their lives during the first world war.
The Town Hall would look just the same if it too was allowed to fall into such a state of decay. Likewise could also be replaced by a care home for the elderly. There was no need for The Former War Memorial to have ended it‘s life in such a sad state of decay and sad that Blackburn with Darwen Council did not consider it worthwhile to keep it intact. The main structure was sound and would have remained to be what it was originally built to be . . .
A War Memorial as a reminder to those who lost their lives in wars present and past![/p][/quote]Considering the council do not own the land or the building it is my my eyes nothing to do with Blackburn with Darwen Council. It was let to go into a state of disrepair by David Wilson Homes plc[/p][/quote]I was thinking that very same thing! So why are the council making on it when its the town folk who own it?DoggydogNo1

ricksh wrote…

abetterblackburn wrote…

Many Thanks for the link above. What a wonderful website and just goes to show what happens when you don’t look after buildings. The former War Memorial Wing was bought by the mill owners and their work force in the area as a reminder to those who lost their lives during the first world war. The Town Hall would look just the same if it too was allowed to fall into such a state of decay. Likewise could also be replaced by a care home for the elderly. There was no need for The Former War Memorial to have ended it‘s life in such a sad state of decay and sad that Blackburn with Darwen Council did not consider it worthwhile to keep it intact. The main structure was sound and would have remained to be what it was originally built to be . . . A War Memorial as a reminder to those who lost their lives in wars present and past!

Considering the council do not own the land or the building it is my my eyes nothing to do with Blackburn with Darwen Council. It was let to go into a state of disrepair by David Wilson Homes plc

I was thinking that very same thing! So why are the council making on it when its the town folk who own it?

Score: 12

phil kernot says...8:30pm Fri 28 Feb 14

Just goes to show our councilors say one thing and do another , it was there responsibility to make sure that the people who bought somthing thay did not own like the old textile museum aswell would keep,it in good order not like the rest of blackburn that's falling to bits ,,, oh and who builds a orbital route that goes through a grave yard and a historic site , blackburn labour council does because thay have the power to so don't vote for them. , ,, I know I never will ,,,

Just goes to show our councilors say one thing and do another , it was there responsibility to make sure that the people who bought somthing thay did not own like the old textile museum aswell would keep,it in good order not like the rest of blackburn that's falling to bits ,,, oh and who builds a orbital route that goes through a grave yard and a historic site , blackburn labour council does because thay have the power to so don't vote for them. , ,, I know I never will ,,,phil kernot

Just goes to show our councilors say one thing and do another , it was there responsibility to make sure that the people who bought somthing thay did not own like the old textile museum aswell would keep,it in good order not like the rest of blackburn that's falling to bits ,,, oh and who builds a orbital route that goes through a grave yard and a historic site , blackburn labour council does because thay have the power to so don't vote for them. , ,, I know I never will ,,,

Score: 15

shirtbox says...8:40pm Fri 28 Feb 14

Yet another clown hall **** up.we knew this would happen.never mind most old blackburnians have moved out anyway.only a town fit for benefit cheats and migrants these days.

Yet another clown hall **** up.we knew this would happen.never mind most old blackburnians have moved out anyway.only a town fit for benefit cheats and migrants these days.shirtbox

Yet another clown hall **** up.we knew this would happen.never mind most old blackburnians have moved out anyway.only a town fit for benefit cheats and migrants these days.

Score: 11

oneinmillion says...8:54pm Fri 28 Feb 14

but we need a zoo

but we need a zoooneinmillion

but we need a zoo

Score: 2

wacked1212@gmail.com says...10:02pm Fri 28 Feb 14

You're knocking down an historic old building for that awful 10 bob monstrosity??????... . SHAME ON YOU BWDBC FOR LETTING ANOTHER PIECE OF OUR HERITAGE BE DESTROYED AND LOST FOREVER

You're knocking down an historic old building for that awful 10 bob monstrosity??????...
.
SHAME ON YOU BWDBC FOR LETTING ANOTHER PIECE OF OUR HERITAGE BE DESTROYED AND LOST FOREVERwacked1212@gmail.com

You're knocking down an historic old building for that awful 10 bob monstrosity??????... . SHAME ON YOU BWDBC FOR LETTING ANOTHER PIECE OF OUR HERITAGE BE DESTROYED AND LOST FOREVER

Score: 17

StevenLewis says...11:22am Sat 1 Mar 14

Disgusting. Like so many have said - only an eye sore because it has been left to rot. And with a bit of TLC it would scrub up as a building of note and real character unlike the generic 'cost effective' naff looking proposed building. We will never build anything like the infirmary building again - its too expensive to do! Why not preserve it then? The national lottery fund coughed up 11 Million quid to restore some old mills in Burnley and they look amazing - UTC Burnley. They were in far worse condition I can assure you. To get funding it depends on the proposed use.. I don't think they will back it as a place to send granny when she becomes a pain in the ****.. (btw you dont see any asians in these places). So as per usual BwDBC lack ambition and imagination. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!

Disgusting. Like so many have said - only an eye sore because it has been left to rot. And with a bit of TLC it would scrub up as a building of note and real character unlike the generic 'cost effective' naff looking proposed building. We will never build anything like the infirmary building again - its too expensive to do! Why not preserve it then? The national lottery fund coughed up 11 Million quid to restore some old mills in Burnley and they look amazing - UTC Burnley. They were in far worse condition I can assure you. To get funding it depends on the proposed use.. I don't think they will back it as a place to send granny when she becomes a pain in the ****.. (btw you dont see any asians in these places). So as per usual BwDBC lack ambition and imagination. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!StevenLewis

Disgusting. Like so many have said - only an eye sore because it has been left to rot. And with a bit of TLC it would scrub up as a building of note and real character unlike the generic 'cost effective' naff looking proposed building. We will never build anything like the infirmary building again - its too expensive to do! Why not preserve it then? The national lottery fund coughed up 11 Million quid to restore some old mills in Burnley and they look amazing - UTC Burnley. They were in far worse condition I can assure you. To get funding it depends on the proposed use.. I don't think they will back it as a place to send granny when she becomes a pain in the ****.. (btw you dont see any asians in these places). So as per usual BwDBC lack ambition and imagination. SHAME ON YOU!!!!!!

Score: 9

happycyclist says...11:34am Sat 1 Mar 14

What was that about BwDBC being voted the best in the country...?

What was that about BwDBC being voted the best in the country...?happycyclist

What was that about BwDBC being voted the best in the country...?

Score: 9

Lankygirl says...10:54pm Sat 1 Mar 14

shirtbox wrote…

Yet another clown hall **** up.we knew this would happen.never mind most old blackburnians have moved out anyway.only a town fit for benefit cheats and migrants these days.

Excuse me? I live in Blackburn and I am neither a benefit cheat nor a migrant.

[quote][p][bold]shirtbox[/bold] wrote:
Yet another clown hall **** up.we knew this would happen.never mind most old blackburnians have moved out anyway.only a town fit for benefit cheats and migrants these days.[/p][/quote]Excuse me? I live in Blackburn and I am neither a benefit cheat nor a migrant.Lankygirl

shirtbox wrote…

Yet another clown hall **** up.we knew this would happen.never mind most old blackburnians have moved out anyway.only a town fit for benefit cheats and migrants these days.

Excuse me? I live in Blackburn and I am neither a benefit cheat nor a migrant.

Score: 0

Joseph O'M says...9:11am Tue 4 Mar 14

In fifty years, when this new care home is being demolished, and the people of the town look back, and compare photographs of the old infirmary and the outdated care home, I wonder which will be judged as an eye sore? I hate Blackburn's tin pot use of the word eyesore for buildings that were designed by architects to raise the standard of the town, contribute to the landscape, be beautiful and functional. New buildings are designed using one criteria: the bottom line and how cheaply it can be done to ensure that the maximum amount of money is made for a private company...sigh...

In fifty years, when this new care home is being demolished, and the people of the town look back, and compare photographs of the old infirmary and the outdated care home, I wonder which will be judged as an eye sore? I hate Blackburn's tin pot use of the word eyesore for buildings that were designed by architects to raise the standard of the town, contribute to the landscape, be beautiful and functional. New buildings are designed using one criteria: the bottom line and how cheaply it can be done to ensure that the maximum amount of money is made for a private company...sigh...Joseph O'M

In fifty years, when this new care home is being demolished, and the people of the town look back, and compare photographs of the old infirmary and the outdated care home, I wonder which will be judged as an eye sore? I hate Blackburn's tin pot use of the word eyesore for buildings that were designed by architects to raise the standard of the town, contribute to the landscape, be beautiful and functional. New buildings are designed using one criteria: the bottom line and how cheaply it can be done to ensure that the maximum amount of money is made for a private company...sigh...

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